Illegal dumping creates a number of risks that may adversely affect the environment in which we live. These risks include:

Dangerous or unsafe play areas;

Health problems;

Environmental hazards; and

Poor visual amenity.

Please play your part in protecting our environment by recycling and disposing of waste responsibly.

Illegal dumping is a crime

Under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, it is an offence to dispose of waste in a place that cannot lawfully be used as a waste facility. It is also an offence to cause or permit waste to be transported to, or deposited in, a place that cannot lawfully be used as a waste facility. Offences can incur significant penalties and on the spot penalty notices.

On-the-spot fines for illegal dumping start at $2000 for individuals and can go as high as $8000 for companies.

Hunter/Central Coast RID Squad

The Hunter/Central Coast RID squad was established in 2014 to reduce the costs of illegal dumping and build capacity within the region.

The Hunter/Central Coast RID Squad covers a wide geographical area including Cessnock, Dungog, Gosford, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Singleton, Upper Hunter and Wyong council areas, and works with other public land managers in the region to combat illegal dumping.

The team is made up of highly experienced investigators who follow up on reports of illegal dumping with a view to identifying, and if appropriate, prosecuting those responsible.